Therapist-in-Training are working to close the gap in affordable mental health care
CHICAGO-April 2024- For over 50 years The Family Institute at Northwestern University has been training the next generation of therapists working to grow the field of behavioral health care providers. Currently, one out of every eight people are living with a mental health disorder with many unable to receive the care they need due to the shortage of mental health providers. In Illinois alone there are only 13.8 behavioral health care providers for every 10,000 residents, leaving over 4.8 million Illinois residents living in a mental health shortage area. This shortage is even higher for those living in rural areas and for indigenous populations and people of color.
Through the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic, therapists-in-training, under the education and supervision of highly trained therapists, are working to reduce these numbers and fill the gap in mental health providers. The therapists-in-training are gaining real world experience and making an incredible impact for the community and themselves. Within the Clinic 134 therapists-in-training provide no-cost therapy daily.
“The dedication of our therapists-in-training allows us to provide equitable mental healthcare at no cost to the community," says Puja Shah, M.A. LCPC, Director of the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic & Community Programs. “Through the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic we strive to bridge the gap in mental health services, ensuring that no one is left behind in their journey towards healing and well-being.”
Lindsey Olvera is a first-year counseling student planning to graduate in 2025. Olvera was raised by her grandparents who immigrated from Cuba. She has seen the firsthand impact of trauma her grandparents experienced leaving a country by force and wants to help other families end the cycle of generational trauma.
“From a young age I’ve always had a passion for people. Having been raised in a household with grandparents who immigrated from Cuba, I saw firsthand the effects that traumatic experiences, like leaving your country by force, could have on generations to come. The way that certain family members very dear to me have struggled with and even overcome their own traumas is what has inspired me to become a counselor… [I am] a Cuban American and someone who is passionate about working with minority and underserved populations as a way to give back to my own community,” Olvera said.
Annalis Garrido is a second-year Marriage and Family therapy student graduating this June. After making a career change as a marketing and communications strategist in the Hispanic/Latino media industry, she realized she wanted to serve the community in a more meaningful way. Garrido has a passion for working with bicultural youth addressing mental health access gaps for people of color—especially within the Hispanic/Latino/a/x community.
“I have evolved with my clients in experiencing simultaneous growth, learning, progress and change throughout the therapeutic journey and this work has been invaluable. I am looking forward to taking this experience to support and improve mental health services for immigrant youth, couples, and families.” Garrido shared.
Annually, the Clinic provides more than 1,200 people with more than 16,000 appointments. Anxiety/panic, couple distress, depression, communication, and family distress are the top five presenting issues that our Clinic clients need help navigating. Clients come to the Clinic from Evanston and from across 52 zip codes throughout Chicago. Additionally, teletherapy continues to be the primary source of services with 76% of clients continuing to utilize the program. The use of teletherapy allows The Family Institute to expand its reach and provide the same level of connection, trust and understanding with improved continuity of care.
The Family Institute is committed to helping regardless of one’s ability to pay. 70% of clients at the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic are low-income (making below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline) and 60% identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, several therapists-in-training provide therapy in both Spanish and Mandarin.
To learn more about Clinic services, Ms. Puja Shah, Director of the Bette D. Harris Clinic & Community Programs, is available to walk through how the clinic supports clients and the community. The Family Institute also invites the community to come meet students at the Evanston location on the Northwestern University Campus.
To learn more visit https://www.family-institute.org/about-us/bette-d-harris-family-child-clinic
Media Contact: Crystal Reynolds creynolds@family-institute.org
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ABOUT THE FAMILY INSTITUTE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Incorporated in 1969, The Family Institute at Northwestern University is committed to strengthening and healing families, couples, children and adults through the highest quality, relationship-based mental health services. As partners to see change, The Family Institute brings together research, education and clinical practice leading to growth for our clients, the next generation of therapists and the field of behavioral health.
The Family Institute conducts cutting-edge research to better understand mental health issues and treatment, operating two nationally renowned graduate programs through the Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies at Northwestern University in Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. For more information, visit www.family-institute.org.